Surprise from Great Decisions!

Back in November 2012, I was approached by Mr. David Heidelberger for a picture I took during my trip in Myanmar (Burma).  Mr. Heidelberger works as a video editor on a show called Great Decisions (www.greatdecisions.org).  Great Decisions is a non-partisan look at US foreign policy that airs on PBS and they were doing an episode about Burma.

This is the picture featured!
a picture of the the natural gas pipe going through Myanmar to China...

Myanmar / Thailand Trip Recap (14)

Day 15 and 16 - Chaungtha - Yangon

After going to the beach for one last time and bidding farewell to the nice owner, we boarded the 10 am bus to return to Yangon.  The return trip took about 6 hours since the bus stopped twice for souvenir shopping (it's just a snack shop) and a lunch break.  Instead of Chaungtha, Chaungtha (the driver said that song is only played when the bus arrives at Chaungtha... :S), the driver played a Burmese comedy, which was quite funny even though I didn't understand a word.

Myanmar / Thailand Trip Recap (13)

Day 15 - Ngwesaung

After breakfast, we met with our drivers and headed to Ngwesaung :) We drove through small villages, woods, crossed 3 rivers, and saw crabs in action on the beach.  It was definitely a highlight of the entire trip and I highly recommend it to any adventurous souls out there.

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Day 14 - Chaungtha

Since we arrived at 3am, the hotel can't really check us in but they were nice enough to let us rest in the employee quarter.  I pretty much crashed on the cushions laid on the ground but the A/C was so cold it kept waking me up.  We decided to turn off the A/C after a while and opened the door even though the staff warned us about the mosquitoes.  No joke!  The mosquitoes almost ate us alive but too bad for them since I brought with me 2 bottles of mosquito repellent and my electric mosquito racket.

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Day 12 to 14 - Yangon - Chaungtha

We spent the next two days exploring more of Yangon with my aunt's family and eating more of the delicious Burmese food.  Pretty uneventful yet relaxing.

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Day 10 and 11 - Inle - Yangon

After a relaxing afternoon back in the hotel, we are ready to head out again.  As I was anxious to return before sunset, I politely declined the guide's offer to dine at a local restaurant instead of the overpriced hotel... I guess I'd rather be cheated on food than to be attacked by lizards again...

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Day 10 - Inle

After a disappointing breakfast at the hotel, we took the boat and started our sight-seeing in Inle.  Since Inle is basically a large lake, transportation is mainly by boat.  Inle is also home to the Intha people, and other minorities.  The Intha people are mostly fishermen and are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style which involves standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar.  From young kids to old men, this unique rowing style can be seen all over the lake.

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Day 9 - Inle

Our time at Mandalay finally came to an end and we boarded a plane to Heho.  Our guide warmly welcomed us at the airport and immediately, I told her if I don't want to go to Pindaya, what are my options.  Pindaya is mainly famous for its limestone caves called Pindaya Caves where thousands of Buddha images have been consecrated for worship over the centuries... I can't see how this would impress me after being disappointed at the Pyin Oo Lwin cave...

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Day 8 - Pyin Oo Lwin

After many days under the scorching sun, we spent the day in Pyin Oo Lwin.  At an altitude of 1070 meters and 42 miles from Mandalay, it was a hill station and the summer capital during the colonial period.

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Day 7 - Mandalay

We rode a boat to the town of Mingun after a delicious buffet style breakfast at the hotel.  The main attractions here are the Mingun temple, Mingun Bell, and the Hsinbyume pagoda  (yes - more temples!)  Our guide also took us to visit a local elderly home.  It's funded straightly on donations and it's completely free to the tenants.  Even though it might be a scam, we still left a donation.  (Let karma take care of the rest.)

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Day 6 - Mandalay

We left Bagan in the morning and boarded a plane to Mandalay.  (Air Mandalay operate a daily route from Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Heho - Yangon.  Our departure time gets later and later with each city we visit.)  Instead of a 10+ hours bus ride through the mountains, we arrived in Mandalay after 45 minutes.

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Day 4 and 5 - Bagan

Early morning, we left Yangon and flew to Bagan and spent the next 2 nights there.  Bagan is famous for it's temples and known to be Myanmar's Angkor Wat.  If you are into history, culture, and architecture, this is heaven on earth.  The locals here are also very friendly... it almost seems like everybody knows everybody.

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Day 3 - Yangon

It's a pretty laid back day as we spend most of the day visiting my mom's relatives and friends.  We ate breakfast at a different place and tried out various kinds of traditional goodies.  So good and so stuffed!!

Myanmar / Thailand Trip Recap (2)

Day 2 - Yangon

We started off our day with traditional Burmese breakfast - mohinga and "le-pet-yeh ball-sing" (that's noodles in fish soup and milk tea, easy on sugar in Burmese for you).  After you finish your bowl, you can even ask for more "hin" or soup for free to wash it all down.

Myanmar / Thailand Trip Recap (1)

I just came back from a 20-day trip to Myanmar and Thailand.  It wasn't the usual "get-your-visa-and-go" kind of trip for me and I can't even begin on how many problems I had prior to the trip... at one point, I almost thought I wouldn't be able to go...  I am so glad I didn't give up and grateful I finally get the chance to revisit Myanmar.  (The last time I was there I was ~7 years old!)